U18 World Junior Championships - Team Russia finished the round robin at the second place and that means that they will have to face Team Switzerland in the quarterfinals, just the same opponent as the WJC fiasco earlier this season. Team Russia defeated Slovakia, Czech Republic and Latvia and lost only to Finland. The team's top scorer so far has been the captain Evgeny Kuznetsov. The 2010 eligible scored four goals and four assists in as many games. The same amount of points has been scored by Sergei Barbashev, who amassed two goals and six assists. Sergei Kostenko has been solid on net, and 94-born Andrei Vasilievski played very well too. Team's top goalscorer has been Vladislav Namestnikov, while team's top scoring defensemen were Efim Gurkin and Zakhar Arzamastsev, with three points each. The game against Switzeland will be played on Tuesday, the winner will face Team Sweden on Wednesday.

a talented winger with excellent playmaking abilities...a very gifted skater, with great technique and very good top speed...very good acceleration as well...smart player, knows where the puck is going on the rink...uses his good speed to get back on defense...should try harder back in the zone...decent forechecker, his speed can be useful...tries hard staying off traffic, but he's improving...can use his speed while things get tough...he is a very good scorer too as he has good finishing skills and a very good wristshot...prefers passing to shooting...has all the tools to become a NHL player, except maybe for size...

Back In Russia:

Sergei Barbashev is a product of CSKA Moscow. The talented winger played there all his pro career, but he's yet to debut in the KHL. He was one of the most productive player in the MHL's first season, having scored 45 points in 48 games.

NHL Outlook:

Barbashev is a player with a very high ceiling due to his great skating and excellent technique. If he can overcome his size problems he can become a force, but he's still a long shot for the NHL.
RP's draft projection: 5th round.